Fall Shelfie

Struggled a bit on this fall shelfie. I had rearranged my fall bin so it was a struggle to locate some of my fall decor. I also has slightly altered my overall color scheme of my living room with some new artwork. Trying to go for a softer fall look. 

Print from The Turquoise Home

Most of the pumpkins in the neutral color are from the dollar tree. The only pumpkin purchased was at walgreens is the small green one on the middle shelf. It was 2.99. I thought that was a steal. 

Weekly Roll

 

Introducing Lady Chardonnay. I felt like this head planter needed a name. My Sister kept suggesting alcohol names might be because I asked her while she was drinking wine. Planter from Petals and Blooms a local home decor shop.  This was a spur of the moment stop to shop as I have never been there before. I believe they sell online as well. She is presiding over the kitchen right now. Not sure if that is her permanent home.

Inappropriate Thoughts

I have a lot of strong thoughts on the current border CRISIS.  I had a whole thing typed out but I actually deleted it. I am frustrated by the coverage because it is so one sided. It has riled me up because I literally have skin in the game. I know I have a bias. I want to encourage people to really look beyond the headlines because it is so important.  IT is a crisis even if you view it one sided. I usually don't post anything political and normally of the more lighter funny inappropriate thoughts. 

Linky Love

Cement Pumpkins - this looks like a fun DIY. Love me some Deb and Danelle - Their Instagram is good. Living with Lady also has a highlight on Instagram on Cement Pumpkins.  She is also a good follow.

26 years

It is hard to believe we have been married 26 years. I still choose him.  A friend commented in the past that looking at our wedding picture and looking at us presently , "That marriage has been hard on us." We got some miles on us but it has been hard in all the right ways. Happy 26th Wedding Anniversary!!!

The State of My Library Hold Life

Well, I have wrapped up what I am doing for summer reading. It seems appropriate to share what I have read on the first day of fall. I  even colored my library's summer reading log. Do you like?

I ended up reading 11 books for June, July, August and part of September. I didn't think that was too shabby.

My top Reads

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts- I read this while waiting to get my hands on the Thrill of the Chase- the real life treasure hunt of Forest Fenn. My review

This Tender Land - My Review

Sparks Like Stars - My Review - This is a completely current topic read as this was about the soviet invasion of Afghanistan- though a fictional account. Read what Nadia has to say about the Taliban takeover - here

The Comfort Book - My Review

Books that still are on my hold list

Broken by Jenny Lawson

While Justice sleep by Stacey Abrams

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Weekly Roll

I was gifted a whole lot of dahlia's from my best friends garden and they are HUGE. I practiced taking timed selfie pics cause my kids aren't into my antics. That is how I am rolling up in here.

Binge Watching

LulaRich - All about the Lularoe empire. Oh my gosh. I was influenced by Damask Love and MrDtimes3 to watch this.  Who didn't know someone who was shilling these clothes? Find this on Amazon Prime.

The One Thing That Shocked Me About LulaRoe

Experimental Cooking

Chow Mein - Venison for Dinner - In her recipe reel on Instagram. Thought it was pretty good.

What I Read September

 I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy's Quick Lit. Check out what everyone else is reading.

Well, I didn't make it through my summer reading list. I am living the library hold life.

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts

This quirky book was really enjoyable. The characters were really well written and who doesn't like a high stakes treasure hunt.

Tuesday Mooney is a loner. She keeps to herself, begrudgingly socializes, and spends much of her time watching old Twin Peaks and X-Files DVDs. But when Vincent Pryce, Boston’s most eccentric billionaire, dies—leaving behind an epic treasure hunt through the city, with clues inspired by his hero, Edgar Allan Poe—Tuesday’s adventure finally begins. - Amazon

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim

This kept getting recommended to me. If I were to retell this in modern times, it is a girl trip with all strangers to Airbnb in Italy. The castle Airbnb has some kind of restorative effect on the girls/women on the trip.  I can see why many were inspired by the book to travel to Italy. It was an interesting read. I read it on vacation. * Free to Kindle

Weekly Roll

Linky Love

#Cleaningarmy Fall Cleaning Challenge - Go Clean Co Love, love their Instagram and totally doing this. Yes, I follow cleaning instagrammers. It is so satisfying to see others clean up. Inspires me to do the same.

Mom Food - Jessica Fisher talks about prepping Mom Food. I just started doing this.  This post is an oldie but a good introduction to Mom Food. Jessica Fisher is hands down one of my favorite food bloggers

 Inappropriate Thoughts

I forgotten how entertaining the airports are at night. Woman carrying giant glass vase. It was the size of an average 3 year old. That is an impressive carry on. I applaud you. Guy with a full on witch's hat with buckskin pants. Just wow! Woman in full on bathrobe, I  see ya. Just trying to stay warm, I get it. Please for the love of God return the Mac Pro to the security check point. I trust you have the person on camera, right? I  You know who took it. Restore my faith in the TSA. Wish they would do a follow-up announcement.

We did a lot of flying last week. We were in 3 airports. We had 2 flights and I thought the passengers were very compliant. People were wearing masks correctly. It can be done. 

20 years later

 It is hard to believe 9-11 happened 20 years ago. I have published several times what I journaled in one of my child development classes on that day - journal entry

I recently listened to a podcast called Missing on 9-11. It is about a doctor, Dr Sneha Anne Phillip who is missing on 9-11. She was last seen on 9-10. Her apartment was near the World Trade Center.  There is no indication that she would of gone to the trade center. She vanished. No remains were ever found nor any sightings. I guess from 9-11 there are only 2 people that were never accounted for and she is one.

wiki entry

52 Ancestors - School

I am joining Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors writing project.

My Grandmother was a teacher.  She attended Iowa Teachers College. When she was at college her friends called her Listy. After college she taught Junior High School at Castana Consolidated School for the 1930-31 school year and 1931-1932 school year.  Castana Consolidated School was in Monona County in Iowa. In those days when you taught school, you lived with one of the families in the town where you taught. She lived with a couple who were both hearing and speech impaired. My Grandpa told about going to court Grandma and sitting in the parlor. Grandma knew how to sign, but Grandpa didn't. The family would sit in the parlor, signing back and forth with Grandma, and then look at Grandpa and laugh. Of course, he didn't know what they were saying. 

My Mom wrote the majority of the above paragraph I just added some little details. My Grandma made the local newspaper, Atlantic News Telegraph, when she accepted her teaching position. My Mom wanted to share the story with her grandson's. Thank you Mom.

How does my cut flower garden grow?

I haven't put much effort into my cut flower garden this year.  There are a lot of reasons but even with very minimal effort I had blooms.  The collage above is a few of the bouquets this year. 

I grew zinnias, dahlias, calendula, bunny tails, daisy's and roses. Of course, the calendula, roses and daisies are perennials 

I 100 percent grow these for my own pleasure. Having a vase of fresh flowers on my table makes me happy. I do give some away but the majority are for my table.

I love how much positive energy Floret has generated with their show on Discovery Plus and their show Growing Floret. Erin and her team are frankly amazing. I love how much they share about cut flowers.

Definitely going to grow bunny tails again next year. I started mine from seed. I would plant in the ground next year. They are fun!